Watch: O>L>A - "Elska" [Premiere]

02 May 2014, 12:45 | Written by Jamie Cunningham

(Tracks)

(O>L>A)

Recalling the best of classic British ambient production, O>L>A’s (read One Little Atlas) newest effort, “Elska”, following their debut self-titled EP release, is a spacious dream-like cut of chilled electronica.

Beginning slowly over emotive vocals, sparse drums and gentle plucked guitar lines, “Elska” is one of those rarefied tracks that’s almost impossible to dislike. A bit like soul or reggae in that manner, it’s a collage of sounds effortlessly woven together into something that sounds simply beautiful, and even breathtaking at times. With the additional layer of mournful bittersweet vocals, it may just do that be capable of doing that.

The video, directed by Nicholas Barnes, feels particularly fitting here with it’s mind-expanding explorative style and minimalist approach. Barnes says: “Manchester based two-piece O>L>A asked me to make their first video, and Carte blanche on the approach was a brilliant offer because it gave me freedom to create an aesthetic from scratch that is married to their sound. I tried to match the timbre and movement of their music and infuse a narrative interpretation of my own that grew a visual experience both abstract and personal.”

O>L>A will play Sounds From The Other City Festival in Salford this Sunday (4 May).